Near Cartersville 31 July 65

My dear Colonel

I am desirous that the bravery & devotion of the Army of N. VA shall be correctly transmitted to posterity.  This is the only tribute that can be paid to the worth of its noble officers & soldiers, & I am anxious to collect the necessary data for the history of the campaigns in Vrga from the commencement of its organization to its final termination.  I am particularly anxious that its actual strength in the different battles it has fought, be correctly stated.  You know all its official returns, records & from the time of my connection with it have been lost or destroyed.  As you prepared the bimonthly  returns for so long, listed their accuracy, I have thought its gradual changes may have been impressed upon your memory,